Two-mode optical state truncation and generation of maximally entangled states in pumped nonlinear couplers

Abstract

Schemes for optical-state truncation of two cavity modes are analysed. The systems, referred to as the nonlinear quantum scissors devices, comprise two coupled nonlinear oscillators (Kerr nonlinear coupler) with one or two of them pumped by external classical fields. It is shown that the quantum evolution of the pumped couplers can be closed in a two-qubit Hilbert space spanned by vacuum and single-photon states only. Thus, the pumped couplers can behave as a two-qubit system. Analysis of time evolution of the quantum entanglement shows that Bell states can be generated. A possible implementation of the couplers is suggested in a pumped double-ring cavity with resonantly enhanced Kerr nonlinearities in an electromagnetically-induced transparency scheme. The fragility of the generated states and their entanglement due to the standard dissipation and phase damping are discussed by numerically solving two types of master equations.